Green Party Tips

Pine cone table decoration

It’s holiday season, and that means … parties! When you’re hosting a gathering, it can be easy for the costs to mount up – to your wallet, to the planet, and even to your sanity. Here are some ways to have a great time, without busting your budget, without suffering green guilt, and without getting stressed out. Sounds good? Read on (and don’t forget to add your own tips in the comments at the bottom).

Invites and Arrivals

If you’re sending out party invites, use email – it’s cheaper and greener than sending out paper invitations.

Suggest that guests carpool if possible, especially if any are coming a long distance – perhaps approach a couple of close friends to ask if they’re willing to offer lifts. Many guests will be glad to have a designated driver so that they can enjoy a few drinks.

Give people instructions on how to find the party venue using public transport. You might want to ensure that the party starts and ends at times which make it easy for people to travel to you.

Use Natural or Reusable Decorations

Rather than decorating with paper streamers and rubber balloons, find ways to use natural decorations which have no impact on the planet. How about picking up fallen pine cones, or putting some long twigs into a vase on the hearth? This is completely free – saving you a good few dollars on decorations which would only get binned after the party. Once you’re done with the cones or twigs, just put them back outside!

Alternatively, buy holiday decorations which can be stored away and reused year after year. Colorful banners, lanterns and all sorts of other goodies will last for years. Don’t forget tablecloths: use cloth rather than plastic or paper.

Reusable Glasses and Plates

Although it might be tempting to use disposable plates and cups at a big gathering, this creates a lot of trash. It’s also an additional cost. Instead, use your own plates and glasses (and ask a friend to lend extras if you’re not going to have enough). If you’re meeting in a community hall, they may well have a stock of crockery and glasswear which you can use to serve food and drinks.

When it comes to washing up, rope in some volunteers to help! If you’re using a dishwasher, make sure you fill it fully – and if you’re washing up by hand, don’t use more water than you need.

Serve Veggie Foods

You don’t have to make your entire party veggie – but keeping meat and fish dishes to a minimum means that you’ll slash the food costs, as well as the environmental impact of the food. (You can read more about this in Eating Less Meat – Benefits for You and the Planet.)

Buffet-style meals are a great way to have a range of different foods, and people are unlikely to notice that there’s not much meat. Most food poisoning incidents are from fish or meat, too, so you won’t need to worry so much about giving your guests a party to remember for all the wrong reasons…

Eco-Friendly Drinks

If you can afford to, buy organic wine, cider or beer – from local producers where possible. Or go for large boxes of wine rather than bottles: less packaging, and buying in bulk means more wine for your money! Planet Green have a great article on How to Choose an Eco-Friendly Wine that might help you make your selection.

Instead of serving bottled water, put jugs of iced water out for guests to help themselves: again, you’ll be saving yourself a few dollars.

Restaurants

If you’re going out to eat, consider picking a restaurant which has good green credentials. You might also want to choose a veggie place (especially if this isn’t something you’d ever normally pick – it could make it an evening with a difference!)

Rather than having a three-course meal, have just starters and entrees, or entrees and desserts: people are very unlikely to go hungry, and you’ll also save some cash. When it comes to drinks, ask for tap water for the table: it lets people quench their thirst without glugging down yet more alcohol.

Try to find a local, independent restaurant: they’re much more likely to have a seasonal menu which makes good use of local produce. If you can walk there, that not only saves on taxi fares or gas, it also means that everyone can have a drink!

After the Party

When you’re a party host, you probably feel like just collapsing into bed as soon as the party is over! However, taking a few eco-friendly steps can make life easier for you the next day – and can prevent any unnecessary expenses.

If you were at a hired venue, such as a village hall, then make sure you’ve followed all instructions about leaving it clean, turning heaters off, locking doors and so on. You don’t want to lose your deposit.

At home, check you’ve switched off lights, music equipment, games equipment or anything else electronic used during the party.

Get any rubbish picked up and sorted into recycling boxes. If you leave it till the next day (when you’re tired and hungover), you’ll just be tempted to put it all into the trash.

What holiday parties will you be hosting – or attending – this year? How can you help keep the environmental impact down, while saving some money too?

9 Replies to “Green Party Tips”

What a great assortment of suggestions! One that I’d humbly offer is an in between option for plates that will save time, energy, and spark conversations: Verterra. I’ve successfully used these for lots of events. They’re made from one thing: Palm leaves that have fallen and are collected, rather than being burnt as “waste.” They look like bamboo, take 10% of the energy of recycled paper to make, and produce zero waste, as even the production scraps get used, made into fertilizer for the trees they grew from!

When you have a large event, want it to look good, not spend much, and be able to save water, detergent, and time, composting them afterwords, these are definitely an option to consider. They’re at http://www.verterra.com and available in about 400 stores, and several online stores.

The best way to reduce the footprint of your party is to calculate energy consumption. The No. 1 way to avoid extra costs to your electricity bill is to use the outdoors – perfect lighting, temperature and energy actually own greenery. Host your barbecue at noon, when light is bright and fills your crowd.

Kristoffersen continued his great run that started in January and saw him win his first World Cup race, an Olympic bronze medal, and two junior world titles., [url=http://www.healthful-goddess.com/michael-kors-kingsbury-cheap-uk-online-sale-c-5.html]http://www.healthful-goddess.com/michael-kors-kingsbury-cheap-uk-online-sale-c-5.html[/url], Burkins approach to design, like Nylons, is pure and relentessly original, as often sprung from that irritation about injustice and imbalance in the world, as from obscure streams of fashion history, and the intrinsic beauty of animated nature., [url=http://www.rhondamathisphotography.com/mens-barbour-eynsford-quilted-jacket-uk-online-sale-p-154.html][b]Mens Barbour Eynsford Quilted Jacket[/b][/url], At our school, we taught that when you start something, you complete it, and they weren done., [url=http://www.healthful-goddess.com/michael-kors-large-blake-pebbled-leather-satchel-cheap-online-p-179.html][b]Michael Kors Large Blake Pebbled Leather Satchel[/b][/url], Kors nylon ski pants, beaded Fair Isle sweaters and tweed ombre feather skirts were among the most modern pieces seen at Olympus Fashion Week, which runs through Friday., [url=http://www.dgfbaseball.com/senior-youth-baseball-bats-c-17.html]http://www.dgfbaseball.com/senior-youth-baseball-bats-c-17.html[/url], The British powerhouse designer is known for dressing the Duchess of Cambridge, Nicole Richie and most recently Anna Gunn for the Emmys., Reserve the other half for serving., [url=http://www.dgfbaseball.com/adult-baseball-bats-louisville-slugger-ash-wood-bat-mlb180b-adult-for-online-sale-p-769.html][b]Adult Baseball Bats Louisville Slugger Ash Wood Bat: MLB180B Adult For Online Sale[/b][/url], [url=http://www.imagine-net-tech.com/barbour-utility-force-quilted-jacket-black-lqu0463bk11-p-499.html][b]Barbour Utility Force Quilted Jacket Black – LQU0463BK11[/b][/url], Also, secondary and cheating ish question: Will I be able to find any clothing in Italy anywhere in Milan?, WILKINSON: I didnt, unfortunately, but., [url=http://www.rhondamathisphotography.com/barbour-printed-utility-jacket-blackindian-lqu0476bk11-uk-online-sale-p-707.html][b]Barbour Printed Utility Jacket Black/Indian – LQU0476BK11 [/b][/url], Faced with biting new Democratic National Committee ads that attack Texas as home of the smoggiest city and some of the worst schools in the nation, Bush defended his state as “a great place to live., [url=http://www.rhondamathisphotography.com/barbour-jacket-men-mens-barbour-fleece-jackets-cheap-online-c-1_6.html][b]Mens Barbour Fleece Jackets[/b][/url], Querrey has never been past the fourth round at a major., [url=http://www.imagine-net-tech.com/womens-barbour-jackets-barbour-wool-coats-c-6_31.html]http://www.imagine-net-tech.com/womens-barbour-jackets-barbour-wool-coats-c-6_31.html[/url], [url=http://www.healthful-goddess.com/michael-kors-midsize-parker-chronograph-glitz-watchgolden-mk22-cheap-online-p-520.html][b]Michael Kors Mid-Size Parker Chronograph Glitz Watch,Golden MK22[/b][/url], As the curtains opened on the Summer Fundays Programme at the Fun Republic Mall with the fashion week finale, the stage showcased plenty of poise, elegance and chic., [url=http://www.imagine-net-tech.com/mens-barbour-two-button-shepherds-check-wool-jacket-p-253.html][b]Mens Barbour Two Button Shepherds Check Wool Jacket[/b][/url], [url=http://www.dgfbaseball.com/best-baseball-bat-old-hickory-bat-co-mike-trout-maple-wood-bat-mt27m-adult-cheap-online-sale-p-971.html][b]Best Baseball Bat Old Hickory Bat Co. Mike Trout Maple Wood Bat: MT27M Adult Cheap Online Sale[/b][/url], In a forthcoming television documentary, he berates some of British fashions star names, including Hamish Morrow and Julien Macdonald.

In 1984, Gateshead/SIS Tesco launched the first B2C online store. The Gateshead system, which was accessed using early 1980s Teleputer models, had an online shopping basket and connected to the users television. The worlds first recorded online home shopper was Mrs. Jane Snowball, 72, of Gateshead, England in May of 1984. She was purchasing groceries from Tesco., [See how America has underperformed since 9/11], [url=http://www.pinkheelsboudoir.com/michael-kors-rose-golden-watches-c-12.html][b]Michael Kors Rose Golden Watches[/b][/url], It will be added to the Dhoni myth., [url=http://www.julchriscookies.com/air-jordan-35-c-31_32_105.html][b]Air Jordan 3.5[/b][/url], [url=http://www.candycomponents.com/video-camera-battery.html][b]ビデオカメラバッテリー[/b][/url], [url=http://www.pinkheelsboudoir.com/michael-kors-fabric-large-miranda-zips-shopper-black-calf-leather-womens-bags-p-973.html][b]Michael Kors Fabric Large Miranda Zips Shopper Black calf Leather Women’s Bags[/b][/url], If you dont think the birthday boy will like a roast, why not recite some funny 30th birthday poems? You can find a ton of these online, along with many 30th birthday jokes and sayings (some famous, others obscure but still hilarious)., [url=http://www.julchriscookies.com/air-jordan-5-c-31_32_52.html][b]Air Jordan 5[/b][/url], [url=http://www.candycomponents.com/mb-pl-cc-193-pro-light.html][b]マンフロット MB PL-CC-193 Pro-Light ビデオケース[/b][/url], Admittedly, when GMC invited us to drive the new 2013 Terrain Denali, the summons did not incite argument over which one of us wanted to attend as much as trigger flashbacks to Envoy Denali and Diamond Edition Jimmy models. Its not that we are averse to the Professional Grade version of the Chevrolet Equinox. In fact, we like this second generation of the Theta platform crossovers just fine. Its just that, collectively, midsize crossovers are about as exciting as watching sun tea brew. And this wasnt even a new vehicle, just a familiar trim package being pushed further on down the product line. The Denali badge has become something of a right of passage for GMC vehicles approaching that awkward, no longer new phase of their lifecycle. Special grille and extra chrome trim? For sure. Upgraded interior? Check. A new powertrain? Now they had our attention., [url=http://www.pinkheelsboudoir.com/michael-kors-golden-watches-c-11.html][b]Michael Kors Golden Watches[/b][/url], [url=http://www.jumplightfarmsonline.com/shopping-popular-air-max-bw-mens-shoes-cheap-sale-black-red-p-3217.html][b]Shopping Popular Air Max Bw Mens Shoes Cheap Sale Black Red[/b][/url], 5. Small WonderThose of you who missed this syndicated 1980s show featuring a little girl robot adopted by a wacky suburban family who has to keep her existence a secret avoided one of the breathtaking low points in all of television. Not only does the little girl stand as the single most annoying robot of all time (in a category which includes Twiki, K 9 and those computers from Read All About It), but well give a listen., [url=http://www.candycomponents.com/smc-pentax-da-300mm-f4ed-if-sdm-smtb-u.html][b]ペンタックス smc PENTAX-DA*300mm F4ED [IF] SDM 【smtb-u】 (交換レンズ)[/b][/url], [url=http://www.pinkheelsboudoir.com/michael-kors-small-jet-set-saffiano-travel-tote-international-black-womens-bags-p-167.html][b]Michael Kors Small Jet Set Saffiano Travel Tote International Black Women’s Bags[/b][/url], Teach employees to upsell and cross sell, [url=http://www.candycomponents.com/leica.html][b]ライカ[/b][/url], [url=http://www.candycomponents.com/pentax.html][b]ペンタックス[/b][/url], [url=http://www.candycomponents.com/mc-72mm-2113.html][b]【メール便送料無料】 ハクバ MC レンズガード 72mm[/b][/url], [url=http://www.candycomponents.com/cosina.html][b]コシナ[/b][/url], [url=http://www.jumplightfarmsonline.com/air-max-ltd-01-mens-shoes-cheap-unique-white-black-blue-p-3146.html][b]AIR MAX LTD 01 Mens Shoes Cheap Unique White Black Blue[/b][/url], Freeland Gaither, yelling for help, was forced into a four door vehicle possibly a gray Ford Taurus with Pennsylvania license plates, police said., SPOTLIGHTUber AftermathAfter Uber rape, Ola plans women, for women cabsOla currently has around 50 100 women drivers on its platform but to add up numbers of female drivers, it has held talks with non profit organizations., BOSCH Tassimo CoffeemakerFor the woman who loves a good latte or cappuccino, the Tassimo is a luxurious coffeemaker that wont charge her $4.50 per cup. It has an automatic cleaning system, noise reducing technology and a compact design so it doesnt take up precious counter space., Booker finished with 178 yards on 24 carries with one score, but Wilson went 18 for 38 for 165 yards, and senior Dres Anderson made two drops that would have given Utah the lead late in the fourth.